As I write this post, I am watching President Trump give an update on March 29, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Trump’s just announced the extension of the quasi-lock down we are in until April 30th and that has me thinking what if?
What if it’s August and the virus is still out of control?
What if it’s August and no one has gone back to work?
What if the meat packers that process our meats can’t/won’t show up to work?
What if the migrant workers that pick up the crops on farms all over the U.S. don’t show up to work the fields anymore?
What if the drivers that drive the food from the slaughterhouse to the supermarket can’t drive because they are sick?
What if the food arrives at the the grocery store but no one is there to unload the truck and stock the shelves?
What if the shelves are stocked but cashiers are sick?
What if it’s August and you don’t get any more money from the government to help you get by?
What if you decide it’s time to get money out of your bank branch but it’s closed or inaccessible? Ditto for your safety deposit box?
What if desperation sets in for the multitudes that don’t have enough to eat?
Unfortunately, I don’t have any answers for you and most of the answers I can think of aren’t very pleasant. In the worst case scenario, getting meat and fresh fruit and veggies may become very difficult to come by unless you are growing your own.
I’ve gone out and stocked up on canned goods, beans, and rice. It’s not ideal eating but I have enough food now to last me a few months. I have also prepared in other ways that I won’t get into here but if you think through the questions, you should be able to come to the same conclusions.
I wrote the following comment over 10 years ago and I never thought I would need to resurrect it but here we are again.
When people realize that the money they thought they had in the stock market is gone, when they realize that their credit lines have been cut and when they have no cash on hand left to pay for fuel, groceries or medicine there will be a stampede at your local bank. The first ones to get there and pull out some or all of their cash will get their money; the lazy, the ignorant, the socialized, the optimists, and the clueless will be left cashless.
Be prudent, Be safe, Be Solvent.